Awning extension and retraction mechanism

Abstract

An awning includes a roller assembly having a torsion spring, a canopy connected between a wall the roller assembly, and a pair of “four-bar” arm assemblies supporting opposite ends of the roller assembly. The arm assemblies move the roller assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, where the torsion spring biases the roller assembly toward the retracted position. Each arm assembly includes a vertically extending base arm secured to the wall, a bottom arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm, an extended arm having a first end pivotally connected to the bottom arm and a second end supporting the roller assembly, and a top arm having a first end pivotally connected to the base arm and a second end pivotally connected to the extended arm. Each arm assembly also includes a force producing member extending between the base arm and the bottom or top arm to move the arm assembly toward the extended position. The force producing member may be an electric linear actuator extending between the base arm and the bottom arm. A counter-balance spring biases the arm assembly toward the extended position to counter-balance the torsion spring.